A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. London for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Albufeira or London?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Albufeira or London? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Albufeira

Albufeira is a activity-filled, high energy, and party hard resort town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and nightlife.

London

London is a historic, diverse, and iconic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Albufeira and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or London?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London. Although Albufeira and London are both popular with visitors, London has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Albufeira is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Albufeira is popular for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. London is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben.

Big Ben

How is Albufeira different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between London and Albufeira. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Albufeira or London?

London is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in London are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Theater?

London is a world-class destination for its theatre productions. However, Albufeira is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in London draw crowds from around the world. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Albufeira is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Albufeira or London? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Albufeira and London both to be great destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Albufeira. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, the city also has the widest selection of restaurants. There are traditional options that serve up classic dishes like grilled sardines, as well as international restaurants with traveler favorites. As expected, you'll find a lot of seafood, but you'll also find inland influences from local farms in the area.

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Albufeira or London has a better nightlife scene.

People head to Albufeira just to party. It's probably the most infamous party destination in the Algarve and it won't disappoint. During the peak summer months you'll find the streets around the popular "Strip" filled with tourists and party-goers. There are hen and stag parties, backpackers, and drunken travelers out for a good time. The Strip has become so popular that there are now bars and clubs on the adjacent streets as well. If you're not staying in the area, you'll likely want to take a taxi, as it's a couple kilometers outside of the town center.

The nightlife in London is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Music?

London is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Albufeira is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Albufeira is not a live music destination.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, London is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Albufeira is a perfect choice. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, you'll find a wide selection of hotels to choose from. Party-goers will want to stay near the Strip while families will prefer the old town or resorts in Olhos de Agua.

London is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is a great resort town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, London is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Albufeira. There are countless vendors who will take you by boat to explore the underwater world, either by snorkeling or scuba diving. The marine life is impressive and the water is generally clear.

London is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is terrific for the beach. However, London is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Albufeira is a very popular vacation destination. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers. For water sports, head to Praia dos Alemaes but for relaxation and catching some rays check out Praia da Falesia. You'll find some interesting rock formations at Praia dos Olhos de Agua. One of the most convenient beaches to town is Praia dos Pescadores. For nightlife you'll want to head to Praia da Oura.

London is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is very good for hiking. However, London is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Albufeira. There are countless coastal walks that are perfect for all skill levels. Many offers stunning views along the rocky coast and pass through natural settings. Popular trails in the area include Praia Grande Interpretation Trail and Paderne Castle Trail.

London is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or London?

London is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in London make it a world-class shopping destination. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Albufeira has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most of the shops are geared toward souvenirs or beach items, particularly near the beach and marina. If you look hard you might find some nice ceramics or items made of cork.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Christmas?

London is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Albufeira does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Albufeira does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a world-class destination for its Christmas markets. However, Albufeira does not offer Christmas markets.

Many people travel to London specifically for the Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Albufeira does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Families?

London is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Albufeira is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, London is a very family-friendly destination. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Albufeira offers lots of family activities. Despite it's reputation as a party-hard city, there are actually a lot of family-friendly activities in the area. Because it's the largest resort town in the Algarve, it also has the most activities to choose from, including theme parks, water parks, dolphin watching, ropes courses, go karting, and more. The best area's for families are in the old town or the most of the family-friendly resorts outside of town. Families should avoid staying near "the Strip."

Is Albufeira or London Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Albufeira and London make for a world-class place to visit.

Albufeira makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. For an active honeymoon or couple's retreat, this resort town has it all. Beautiful beaches, adventure-filled activities, a wild nightlife scene, and excellent resorts and restaurants all make for a memorable couple's getaway.

For those traveling as a couple, London has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira and London are world-class places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Albufeira. If you're looking for a party, then you found it. The area is a top pick for European holidays, so you'll find plenty of energy and activities around town. There are also golden beaches and a decent selection of hostels to choose from.

A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular resort town for budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Students?

London is a world-class destination for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.

Many students frequent London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

Is Albufeira or London Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in London can get you around easily. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Albufeira. There are regional buses and even trains, but do take note that many of the train and bus stations are a good distance outside of town.

Is Albufeira or London a more walkable city?

London is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around London on foot is easy. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

Albufeira is generally not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to hire a car, but if your hotel is near the beach and you're ok with walking to restaurants, then you may be able to get away without one. If you hope to travel into the countryside at all then a car is necessary.

For even more information, also check out Is Albufeira Worth Visiting? and Is London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or London?

Both Albufeira and London have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, London has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in London than Albufeira. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in London than Albufeira. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in London, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in London than Albufeira. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in London that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Albufeira if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in London.

One day in Albufeira or London?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Albufeira. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

People visit London because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or London?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

People visit London because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Albufeira. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit London because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Albufeira or London?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the party hard destination of Albufeira. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

London is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in London, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Albufeira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Albufeira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Albufeira and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Albufeira.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is London Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 470 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and London, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Albufeira or London?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Albufeira or London in the Summer?

Both London and Albufeira during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Also, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Albufeira is a little warmer than London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than London. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or London in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and London. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Albufeira is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In October, Albufeira usually receives more rain than London. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Albufeira or London in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as London. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

London can be very cold during winter. Albufeira is much warmer than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Albufeira usually gets more rain in January than London. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or London in the Spring?

Both London and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Albufeira is much warmer than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than London. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for London and Albufeira